ON THE RATING OF COMPOSERS

Published: April 26, 1987

To the Editor:

Tim Page's survey revealed interesting differences and one depressing similarity. While a handful of 20th-century composers appear, not a single name predates Vivaldi or Scarlatti. Talk about historical blinders! It is as though Monteverdi, Josquin, Machaut, Isaac and Schutz had never written.

Next time please find people with wider horizons to help bring these and other underrated figures closer to the concert and recording mainstream. SUMNER M. ROSEN New York City